“It's important to not be afraid of who you really are and to keep reflecting on how you've changed and why you've changed.”
—Alison, 18, UK
Is there a safe time of the month to have sex and not get pregnant?
Any time a girl and a guy have vaginal intercourse, there's a risk of pregnancy. No time of the month is completely safe. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman is fertile. It is much safer to use condoms and contraceptives like the Pill. Only condoms can provide protection from most STDs.
Most girls ovulate, or release an egg, about 14 days before she gets her period. The egg can only survive for about 24 to 36 hours. She can only get pregnant if sperm reach the egg while it's still alive. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman fertile. Also, sperm can live up to five days inside a girl's reproductive system.
That means, if a couple has sex on Saturday and the girl ovulates on Wednesday, she could become pregnant on Thursday.
Females are least likely to become pregnant two days before their period starts and the first two days of their period. If a girl has sex on day 5 of her period and then ovulates early, say on day 10, there's a chance some sperm could still be alive and able to fertilize that egg. So, no, there is no 100% "safe time" of the month. It is much safer to use both condoms and contraceptives like the Pill.
Anytime a couple engages in unprotected sex there is also a risk of STDs as well as pregnancy. This means both partners need to get tested for STDs at a clinic or with their private doctor.
Most girls ovulate, or release an egg, about 14 days before she gets her period. The egg can only survive for about 24 to 36 hours. She can only get pregnant if sperm reach the egg while it's still alive. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman fertile. Also, sperm can live up to five days inside a girl's reproductive system.
That means, if a couple has sex on Saturday and the girl ovulates on Wednesday, she could become pregnant on Thursday.
Females are least likely to become pregnant two days before their period starts and the first two days of their period. If a girl has sex on day 5 of her period and then ovulates early, say on day 10, there's a chance some sperm could still be alive and able to fertilize that egg. So, no, there is no 100% "safe time" of the month. It is much safer to use both condoms and contraceptives like the Pill.
Anytime a couple engages in unprotected sex there is also a risk of STDs as well as pregnancy. This means both partners need to get tested for STDs at a clinic or with their private doctor.
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Your Comments
before
Posted by: sam03 on Aug 15th, 2008 2:13am
i heard that your not supposed to have sex before you get
your period...is this true?
anal sex
Posted by: LucindaH on Jun 6th, 2008 1:52pm
If you use a condom during anal sex, it's unlikely that you
will get pregnant. The only risk of pregnancy during anal
sex is the possibility of semen dripping out of the anus and
into the vagina. Check out this FAQ about anal sex and
pregnancy: http://www.sexetc.org/faq/pregnancy/817.
anal sex
Posted by: buckeyes10 on Jun 3rd, 2008 6:55pm
can I get pregnant if I have anal sex? and my boyfriend uses
a condom?
RE: after a period
Posted by: DanR on May 19th, 2008 2:56pm
There is no 100% safe time for a girl to not get pregnant
except if she is abstaining from penile-vaginal intercourse.
You probably read above that a girl is least likely to
become pregnant the 2 days before her period and the first 2
days of her period. The key words here are LEAST LIKELY,
not 100%. If you have unprotected sex in the last 5 days
and you are worried check out this info on Plan B:
http://www.sexetc.org/faq/pregnancy/971.
after a period
Posted by: jitterbug8789 on May 14th, 2008 12:45am
Is it possible to get pregnant after a girl has had her
period?
RE: safe??
Posted by: DanR on Feb 28th, 2008 11:42am
As you probably saw above, there is no 100% safe time of the
month, however, using a condom can help reduce your risk of
pregnancy (as well as STDs). The important thing to know
is that even when condoms are used consistently and
correctly, they are still not 100% effective. In fact, no
form of birth control (other then abstinence) is 100%
effective. We recommend using a combination of condoms and
hormonal birth control pills to try to best protect yourself
and your partner.
safe??
Posted by: HazeleyezX316 on Feb 24th, 2008 10:48pm
is it safe to have sex two days after your period if you use
a condom??
RE: I am 14 and i have been waiting for HIM and I found him.
Posted by: DanR on Feb 11th, 2008 12:59pm
Good question, but there is no need to fear. The vagina
walls are very elastic (strechy) and will go back to their
natural shape. Think about the fact that this is the same
area that is designed to birth a baby. Things you might
want to be thinking about are ways to protect yourself from
pregnancy and STDs if you do decide to have sex. Check out
our our FAQs on both topics for more information.
I am 14 and i have been waiting for HIM and I found him.
Posted by: Kandygurl08 on Feb 10th, 2008 5:06pm
I wanna do it but i am scared tht i will get streched and
never go back...Does tht happen?
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RE: before
Posted by: DanR on Aug 18th, 2008 10:27am
If you are talking about a "safe" time of the month to have
sex, the answer is: there is no 100% safe time of the month
to have sex and not get pregnant. It is best to use some
kind of birth control EVERY TIME you have sex to reduce the
risk of unwanted pregnancy. Using condoms can also help
reduce the risk of getting an STD.